Introduction: In this passage of scripture we see good instruction for children and parents. Part of the reason why children and parents have problems today is because we don’t believe or obey what the Bible says. Children and parents alike are to walk under God’s authority.
- Children are to Obey their Parents– Vs 1 “Children obey your parents” A parents is to guide and direct a child, and the child is to obey the parent. To obey means to do what your parents tell you to do. To submit, comply, hearken, heed, follow.
- Deuteronomy 6:6-9 God expected parents to train their children. A child that does not obey his parents will likely not obey God.
- Complete Obedience- Deut 5:29 partial obedience is not true obedience.
- Immediate Obedience- Deut 11:32 delayed obedience is not true obedience.
- Obedience from the Heart- Deut 30:2 a good attitude accompanies true obedience.
- Deuteronomy 6:6-9 God expected parents to train their children. A child that does not obey his parents will likely not obey God.
- “In the Lord”- When the parent is acting or doing things “in the Lord”, when the parents desire and instruction is “in the Lord”. The Lord has nothing to do with filth, unrighteousness, and abuse of children. Mark 9:42 “And whosever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea”. (Jacob obeyed his mother but disobeyed God- Genesis 27:13) Jeremiah 35:14 Jonadab commanded his children not to drink.
- “This is right”- This is of the Lord and it pleases the Lord. Colossians 3:20 “Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord”. When a child obeys his parents, he/she is learning to obey the Lord. As the child grows, he/she will understand that ultimately they want to please the Lord by obeying their parents. A child should understand from a young age that this right. If your friends tell you to go contrary to this, don’t listen to them, they are wrong.
- Proverbs 6:20 “My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother”.
II. Children are to Honor their Parents- Vs 2 to honor is to respect, esteem and value as precious.
- This goes for the father and mother- not just who agrees with you or takes your side.
- Parents have a lot of wisdom and knowledge that their children could use if they only listened to their parents. Sadly today, children talk back, grumble, ignore parents, disrespect, disregard, don’t listen. Exodus 20:12 “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee”. This is a commandment with promise.
III. The Promise to Children– Vs 3
- “That it may be well with thee”- If the child honors his parents, God will be with that child as he goes through life. We are living in a generation that does not respect or esteem their parents and that is not good in the eyes of God. (God takes good notes and will bring these things to pass later in life). Proverbs 30:11 “There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.” *Example- a family that honored their parents and one that didn’t honor their parents.
- “Thou mayest live long on the earth”- If a child grows up obeying this command of honoring their parents, God promises a long life on this earth for that child. Deuteronomy 5:16 “Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee: that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” Proverbs 3:2 is a good example. This is much a practical truth as it is a spiritual truth. (Practically, children that disobey their parents will disobey others, to include law enforcement and end up in jail or dead).
IV. Fathers Role in helping their children– Vs 4 Fathers also have a role and responsibility when it come to their children obeying them.
- Don’t provoke your children to wrath- to provoke them to point of exasperation and resentment.
- Over controlling a child will provoke them to wrath. Under controlling a child will provoke them to wrath. Living an inconsistent life before the child will provoke them to wrath.
- Bring them up in the nurture of the Lord- non-verbal communication/discipline. This is usually for a child under the age of 5 years old that doesn’t understand how to reason. Hugs and spankings- Proverbs 22:15, 23:13-14.
- Bring them up in the admonition of the Lord- verbal communication/instruction. This is for a child that is older and understands how to reason. The word of God, counsel, exhortation, correction.
- This is based on what the Word of God says to do, in the nurture and admonish “of the Lord”. Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it”.
Conclusion: Very simply put, children obey and honor your parents, fathers provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Anchor Baptist Church is an independent, Bible-Believing Baptist church in Kingsville, Texas, committed to biblical preaching, teaching, evangelism, and discipleship.
